Ryan Garcia may never receive higher praise than what has come from his new head trainer.

The past six-plus weeks spent preparing the unbeaten lightweight contender for his next fight has left Joe Goossen in awe. The renowned cornerman took over training duties for Garcia in mid-February at the start of camp for his upcoming clash with Ghana’s Emmanuel Tagoe (32-1, 15KOs), which takes place April 9 on DAZN from Alamodome in San Antonio.

Nearly two months later, the 40-plus year fight game veteran has been taken aback by Garcia’s work ethic.

“I’ve been here for six weeks and it’s only seemed like six days,” Goossen noted during a recent open workout held at Garcia’s facility in Chula Vista, California. “Ryan is a beast in the gym. He’s in the top five of all time fighters I’ve ever worked with. He’s unbelievable. He’s in beast mode.

“Sometimes we’ll do the running twice a day. He’ll do his strength training… he’ll do three- or four-a-days. He's attacking this like he’s obsessed and possessed. I’m duly impressed, that’s for sure.”

The claim will either be met with eyerolls from a skeptic audience, or the benefit of the doubt extended to a longtime top trainer not normally known for such hyperbole. 

Goossen has molded numerous champions including one-time pound-for-pound king Michael Nunn, Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, Joel Casamayor, Hall of Fame former three-division champ Shane Mosley and the late Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales, along with serving as a co-trainer for Hall of Fame former junior middleweight king Terry Norris. Nearly everyone who has worked with Goossen has been required to travel to Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys, California. For this camp, Goossen made an exception—and the three-hour drive to the greater San Diego area upon accepting an agreement to prepare Garcia for his first fight in more than 15 months.

“When I got the call, I didn’t hesitate,” Goossen said of the chance to train Garcia, replacing Eddy Reynoso. “I’m out of the business of moving out of my home. Usually when I train you, you come to me and train at my gym.

“This was one instance where I didn’t hesitate. I was packed up within two days. I’ve always had an affinity for Ryan. This has always been a natural [fit] for me.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox